Lion gives birth to 3 cubs at Cincinnati Zoo

CINCINNATI (AP) -- An African lion named Imani has given birth to three cubs at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Zoo officials tell The Cincinnati Enquirer that she is not letting anyone near her or the cubs to check on them, and they haven't determined whether the cubs are male or female. But officials say Imani has been doing all the right things for a first-time mother.

The lion gave birth Thursday. Zoo officials say Imani showed signs of being pregnant in the weeks prior to giving birth and hormone tests indicated a pregnancy.

Keepers and scientists at the zoo's Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife could not be positive that she was pregnant until the cubs were born.

The first cub was born in a breech position, but was apparently unharmed.